Joseph Smith exhibit draws record crowds
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The exhibit, "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration," at the Museum of Church History and Art attracted more people than any previous museum exhibit.
The exhibit opened in February 2005 and closed Jan. 9, 2006.
A total of 437,787 people visited the museum in 2005, eclipsing the previous high in 1993 when 402,000 people visited the exhibit of the Salt Lake Temple, said Gary Boatright, supervisor of museum operations.
It was "wall-to-wall" people on the final day of the exhibit, said docents as they directed many families through the once-in-a-lifetime collection. Monthly records were set in February, March, July and October through December. Some 45,778 attended in December, significantly higher than the previous high of 27,000 people.
The exhibit is the first to be in both English and Spanish. With artifacts, art, video presentations and several hands-on activity stations, the exhibit traced Joseph Smith's life from his birth into a devout, hard-working family and on through his prophetic calling and service that ended with his violent death.
